Georgetown Middle High School Drama Club works toward 'Into The Woods'

Tuesday

Jan 30, 2018 at 1:24 PMJan 31, 2018 at 5:22 PM

There are approximately 60 students in grades 7-12 involved with the production, to be performed Feb. 8-10.

By Maggie van Galen / georgetown@wickedlocal.com

Be careful what you wish for … you just might get it!

That's the message of Stephen Sondheim's "Into The Woods," which the Drama Club at the Georgetown Middle High School is presenting Feb. 8, 9 and 10.

"Into the Woods" intertwines the plots of several Brothers Grimm and Charles Perrault fairy tales, exploring the consequences of the characters' wishes and quests. The main characters are taken from "Little Red Riding Hood," "Jack and the Beanstalk," "Rapunzel" and "Cinderella," as well as several others.

“This is my favorite musical,” said Kerry Donovan Lee, the play’s director and GMHS English and drama teacher. “It resonates with me because of the theme. It has the comedy as well as the dramatic and in some cases tragic pieces.

"In Act 1, everyone gets what they want," Donovan Lee explains. "In Act 2, what happens when getting everything isn’t all it’s cracked up to be? I have students who can handle all of this and it intrigues me.”

There are approximately 60 students in grades 7-12 involved with the production, either as a member of the cast or crew. Musical direction is by Kaitlin Donovan and Laura Laflamme, and the orchestra direction by Eric Blackman. Ally Viera, GMHS English Language Arts Department chairwoman, is the producer.

“Many other members of the Georgetown community (parents, teachers, local businesses) are also involved in costuming, set building, publicity, and more. It is truly a community event,” said Viera in a recent press release.

Lee explained that the music is “the most difficult we’ve ever tried,” and they’ve hired professional musicians to accompany the production.

This is the ninth production that Lee has been involved with at GMHS.

“The musical itself asks some questions about morality that people don’t always consider. For example, is it OK to get something you want even if means you have to be deceitful? It shows how far the drama department has come over the past decade because of the hard work and culmination of effort by students, teachers and parents.”

"Into the Woods" debuts at the Georgetown Middle High School on Feb. 8 at 6 p.m., with shows following on Feb. 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. (Snow date: Feb. 11 at 2 p.m.)

Tickets are on sale online at http://gmhs.tix.com at $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, plus a minor online fee.

Seats are assigned, so purchase today for the best options. Please also note that for the youngest viewers, themes of loss may be uncomfortable and parental guidance is suggested. (Or you can always leave with the youngsters after the end of the much-sunnier Act 1.)

Students who would like to see the show for free can volunteer to be an usher. This involves about an hour of time before the play begins, and then you earn a free ticket. Please contact Mrs. Viera at GMHS (Room 2220) ASAP to sign up for one of the shows.